But Pulis knows Palace face challenges in attracting players when they are threatened by relegation and believes his two Stoke old boys could make an immediate impact to keep the Eagles in the top flight. The issue is said to be causing considerable strain between Pulis and the Palace board, with the manager believing they are not backing up their promises of January transfer spending.

Pulis was first approached by Palace as soon as Ian Holloway resigned in October – but it took a full month to agree a two-and-a-half year contract with the south London club.

After sounding out several other candidates, Parish came back to the former Stoke chief and significantly improved his original salary offer along with the guarantee of a hefty bonus, should he keep Palace up.

Palace have struggled for goals since winning promotion to the top flight and Pulis has prioritised the signing of a striker this month.

Parish appointed former Cardiff head of recruitment Iain Moody as the club’s sporting director before Pulis was named manager, but the Welshman is not thought to be on good terms with the transfer fixer.

Parish has been on a 10-day holiday in Barbados since the transfer window opened, which has not helped the situation.